Split-ring barrel closure construction



Feb. 23, 1937. vc. 'r. DRAPER ET AL SPLIT RING BARREL CLOSURE CORSTgQOTION Filed ma 7, 1935 s Sheets- Sheet 1 v QVW 7/ 7. j Arron/5r:

Feb. 23, 1937. c. T. DRAPER ET AL 2,071,971

SPLIT RING BARREL CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 7; 1955 s Sheets-Sheet :s

M l I Ar TOR/Vi rs i fie. /2. I

Patented I Feb. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPLIT-RING BARREL CLOSURE CON- STBUCTION Draper Manufacturing Company, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Cleveland,

Application May 7, 1935, Serial No. 20,198

2 Claims.

The invention relates to a closure construction for metallic containers, barrels, drums, vessels, packages, pails, kegs, and the like, utilized for shipping, storing and/or dispensing various mate- 5 rials or substances; and relates more particularly to a construction in which a sheet metal cover, closure, head or the like is secured, fastened and sealed onto a metallic container, barrel, drum, vessel, package, pail, keg, and the like, or onto an opening in the head of a metallic container, Barrel, drum, vessel, package, pail, keg, and the Numerous constructions have been used for such purposes, but many difiiculties have been encountered in the use of the same; either because a special cover closing or fastening machine must be used which'must be accurately located with respect to the cover or head in order to secure the same to a container, or because the cover 20 or head, when once secured or fastened in place, is so bent, distorted or damaged upon removal, that it cannot be again used as a satisfactory container cover or head.

The present invention proposes to overcome the 25 difliculties and disadvantages of the prior art in a novel manner and has for an object the provision of a container cover or head, which may be securely clamped, fastened and sealed to a container, or to an opening in the head of a con- 30 tainer, without necessarily requiring the use of a special closing and fastening machine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container cover or head, which, if a closing and fastening machine is used to clamp,

35 fasten and seal the cover or head to a container, or to an opening in the head of a container, does not require the machine to be specially positioned or located in performing the closing operation.

It is also an object of the present invention to 40 provide a container cover or head closure construction, which construction includes preferably a channel-shaped split-ring, and in which the removal of the split-ring, for taking the cover or head off the container, does not damage the cover 46 or head, but permits the ring and/or cover to be used again and again.

It is likewise an object of the present invention to provide a container cover or head closure construction including a split-ring, in which the 50 cover or head functions satisfactorily and chiciently as such, even though the ring is removed; and in which the cover or head may be provided with a friction fit, if desired, with the container,

or with an opening in the head of a container. 5 Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container cover or head closure construction including a preferably channelshaped split-ring in which the split ring is provided with one or more inwardly extending lugs which may be bent down into a recess in the cover 5 or head to securely hold the split-ring ina position in which it holds the cover or head tightly fastened, clamped and sealed to a container or an opening in the container.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container cover or head closure construction, which, when a clamping, fastening and sealing relation is eifected, provides for a continuous and uniform clamping or sealing pressure to be present between the cover or head and the container or the opening in the head of the container, throughout the periphery of the cove or head.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a container cover or head closure construction in which a gasket is preferably interposed between the cover or head, and the container or the opening in the head of the container, and in which a compressive force is applied to the gasket from both above and below the same throughout its extent.

And finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved container cover or head closure construction which is simple in design, eflicient and durable in use, easily assembled or disassembled by the most inexperienced person and low in cost; which also avoids the difliculties and disadvantages of prior art constructions; and which incorporates the aforesaid desiderata.

These and other objects may be obtained by the elements, parts, combinations and constructions constituting the present invention, preferred embodiments of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and are hereinafter described in detail and claimed, and which may be stated in general terms as including, in containerv cover or head closure construction, a container wall having an outturned annular bead defining an ingress or egress opening for the container,

a recessed cover for the container inserted in said opening having a preferably curved peripheralflange, a compressible gasket interposed between said container wall bead and said cover flange, a contractible channel-shaped split-ring embracing said container wall bead and cover flange for compressing the gasket therebetween, said splitring being provided with one or more inwardly directed lugs bent downwardly into said cover recess for holding the split-ring contracted in a cover clamping, fastening and sealing relation,

' thereon, The container head to the container side wall or and said lugs being preferably provided with means for the reception of a tool for bending the same out of recess engagement to permit removal of the split-ring.

In the accompanying drawings, in which the present improvements are shown,

, Figure 1 is a plan view'of a container having a head wall provided with an opening equipped with the improved split-ring closure construction;

Fig. 2 is an axial sectional view of a portion of the container shown in Fig. 1, taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a contractible channelshaped split-ring utilized in the improved closure construction shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a section of the split-ring shown in Fig. 3, taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the cover utilized in the closure construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig.6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the opening in the head wall of the container shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view of the closure construction elements shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, after the same have been initially assembled, and prior to a positioning and locking of the same in cover clamping, fastening and sealing relation;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional'view similar to Fig. '7, showing the split-ring after it has been positioned to compress the gasket between the wall bead and cover flange, and diagrammatically showing certain parts of a positioning mechamsm;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figs. '1 and 8, showing the closure construction elements of Figs. 3, 5 and 6 positioned and locked in cover clamping, fastening and sealing relation, and diagrammatically showingcertain parts of mechanism which may be utilized for effecting the positioning and locking;

Fig. 10 is a plan view, similar to Fig. 1, of a container in which the improved split-ring closure construction shell;

Fig. 11 is an axial sectional view, similar to Fig. 2, of a portion of the container shown in Fig. 10, taken on the line l-| I, Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 9. of certain of the parts shown in Figs. 10 and 11, taken on the line |2--l2, Fig. 10.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the various flgures of the drawings. 1

Referring to Figs. 1 to. 9, inclusive, a sheet metal container, generally indicated at I3, is provided with the improved split-ring closure construction for an opening in the head wall l3 includes a side wall or shell l4, to which a head wall i5 is seamed at IS in the usualmanner. The head H: is preferably provided with a flange H in order to offset or recess the head wall |5 from the end of the container.

The head wall I5 is provided with a. preferably integral tubular neck l8, terminating in an outtumed annular head or flange l9, to form or deflne an ingress or egress opening 20 for the container; and the said opening 20 may have any desired size and is preferably relatively large as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The opening 20 is closed by a cover 2| having a preferably substantially cylindrical flange 22 at the periphery thereof; and the flange 22 terminates in a preferably outis utilized for securing the container wardly and downwardly curvedperipheral flange 23 (Fig. 5).

The cover flange 22 fits within the tubular neck l8 so that the central wall of the cover 2| is recessed below the outerend of the'neck l8, and the fit between the cover flange 22 and the neck It may be a friction flt if desired. A preferably compressible tubular annular gasket 24 is interposed between the b'ead-l9 and the curved cover flange 23 for providing a sealed joint or connection between the cover 2| and head wall |5 when thencover is clamped and fastened to the head wa A contractible split-ring, generally indicated at 25 (Figs. 3 and 4) is utilized in accordance with the present improvements to securely clamp and fasten the cover 2| to the container head wall i5. The split-ring 25 is channel-shaped in cross section, preferably generally half round and opening radially inward, as best shown at 26 in Figs. 4 and 7, and the upper leg 21 of the channel may be preferably slightly flattened at 28. One or more lugs 29 are preferably formed integrally with the ring 25 to extend inwardly (Fig. 3) from the upper flattened channel flange 21-28. I

A lug 29a, similar to the lugs 29, is preferably provided at each end of the split-ring 25, and the lugs 29 are preferably equally spaced throughout the extent of the split-ring25 between the lugs 29a. Each lug 29 and 29a is preferably provided with an opening 3|] near the inner end thereof for a purpose-Which will be hereinafter described.

The opening 20 in the head wall of a container l3 may be closed with the improved closure construction by proceeding as follows:-

An annular gasket 24 is assembled in the curved flange 23 of the cover 2|, as shown in Fig. 5. The cover 2| is then inserted within the neck l8, until the cover assumes a position somewhat as shown in Fig. 7. A split-ring '25 maythen be slipped over the curved flange 23 of the cover 2| and the bead IQ of the neck I 8 to substantially embrace the container wall bead 9 and cover flange 23 in the position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

A closing machine 34 may be applied to the assembled parts, as indicated in Fig. 8 of the 3| thereof provided with drawings, and the jaws extension pads 32 are then operated to press radially at spaced points against the outer periphery of the split-ring 25 to circumferentially contract the split-ring to the position shown in Fi 8.

The channel 26 of the split-ring 25, in moving from the position shown in Fig. '7 to the position shown in Fig. 8, presses downward from above through its upper leg 21 upon the upper surface of the curved cover flange 23, and presses upward from below through its lower leg 2141. upon the underside of the bead l9 whereby a compressive force is applied to the gasket 24 from both above and below the gasket throughout its extent to compress the gasket to the position shown in Fig. 8.

' The cover is now clamped by the split-ring in a sealing relation with the container wall and a continuous and uniform clamping and sealing pressure is present between the cover 2| and the neck l8 throughout the periphery of the cover 2|, because of the application of the clamping the cover flange 23 and the legs of the channeland sealing forces to wall bead l9 through shaped split-ring 25.

A ring or plate 33 of the closing machine '34 may then be operated or moved from the position shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 9, to bend the lugs 29 and 29a downward into the recess inthe cover 2|, whereby the lugs 29 and 29a constitute discontinuous bendable means which securely fasten the split-ring in cover clamping and sealing relation also shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9.

Referring to Figs. 10, l1 and 12, inclusive, a sheet'metal container generally indicated at H3,

is provided with the improved split-ring closure construction for the end opening thereof. The container H3 includes. a side wall or shell H4, which terminates in an outturned annular bead o'r flange I I9 to form or define an ingress or egress opening for the container; and the opening is closed by a head ,I2I having 2. preferably substantially cylindrical flange I22 at the periphery thereof. The flange I22 terminates in a preferably outwardly and downwardly curved peripheral flange I23.

The head flange I22 fits within the end of the side wall or shell so that the central wall of the head I2I is recessed below the outer end of the container side'wall H4, and the fit between the head I2I and the upper end of the container side wall I I4 may be a friction fit if desired. A preferably compressible tubular annular gasket I 24 is interposed between the bead H9 and the curved head flange I23 for providing a sealed joint or connection between the head I 2I and the container side wall I I4 when the head is clamped and fastened to the container;

'at each end of the split-ring I25, and the lugs I29 are preferably equally spaced throughout the extent of the split-ring I25 between the lugs I29a. Each lug I29 and I29a is preferably provided with an opening I near the inner end thereof for a purpose which will be hereinafter described.

The head I2I may be secured to the container shell I I4 in the same manner as has been described in connection with Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive,

with the attainment of the same results.

Reference has been made to the use of a closing machine, in describing the assembly of the improved split-ring closure construction. However, the split-ring 25 or I25 may be secured and locked to fasten and seal a cover or head to a container wall without the use of any closing machine, but simply by hammering the lugs 29 and 29a or I29 and I 29a from a. position such as is shown in Fig. 7 to a position such as shown in either Fig. 9 or Fig. 12.

The split-ring 25 or I 25 is contracted and applies compressive forces to the curved cover or head flange and to the wall bead, when the lugs are hammered to bend them downward into the recess of the cover or head. 7

Moreover, it is unnecessary to specifically position the machine in any particular location with respect'to the cover or head or the split-ring, if a closing machine is used for assembling and lock: ing the improved closure construction.

It is only necessary to insert the end of a screw driver into the lug openings 30 and bend the lugs upward generally to a position such as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, at which time the splitring 25 or I25 may be expanded and removed, whereupon the cover 2| or head I2I may be removed from the container. Such removal of the split-ring and cover or head does not damage the cover or head or ring in any way and each of the same may again be used for providing a clamped, fastened and sealed closure construction.

The cover or head may be provided with a friction fit and when inserted in an opening of a container, provides a satisfactory closure for the same as such. Moreover, the improved split-ring closure construction is satisfactory for all sizes and types of metallic containers, either'large or small, made of either heavy or light gaugemetal and for various sizes of openings for such containers.

Although the thickness of the metal of the splitring has been shown in the drawings as being substantially the same as that of the container walls and covers or heads therefor, the thickness of the metal from which the split-ring is made may if desired be less than that of the container walls; and likewise the cover or head thickness may be less than the container wall thickness if desired.

The split-ring 25 has been shown as being provided with five lugs and the split ring I25 has been shown as being provided with eleven lugs; but it is to be understood, however, that any desired number of lugs may be provided, and that in the case of small sized openings, it may be necessary to provide only. two lugs on the spl.it ring, one lug at each end of the same Moreover, containers equipped with the improved construction may be shipped by a con- 'drawings referred to therein, are illustrative of structures embodying our invention, and the claims appended hereto are intended to cover such modifications of and slight changes in the structures shown and described, as are apparent to those skilled in the art.

We claim:--

1. In closure construction for a metalliccontainer, a wall provided with an outturned flange defining an opening for the container, a recessed cover for the container inserted in said opening having a flange lapping said wall flange, a gasket interposed between said flanges, a replaceable contractible channel-shaped split-ring opening radially inward and embracing said flanges, and said splitering being provided at intervals with bendable means extending downwardly into said cover recess for contracting and holding the splitring contracted in cover clamping, fastening and" 4- I aomom' cover for the container inserted in said opening downwardly into said cover recess for contracting having a flange lapping said wall flange, a gasket and holding the split-ring contracted in cover interposed between said. flanges, a replaceable clamping, fastening and sealing relation. contractible channel-shaped split-ring embracing said flanges, and said split-ring being provided CHARLES T. DRAPER. v 5' with a bendable lug at each end thereof extendin WALTER C. GROSSER. 

